✔ The Casanova's Angel (Filipino Novel)

Kabanata 26

Angel's POV

Isang matagal na segundo ang lumipas na walang kumikibo saamin pagkatapos ikwento ni Nickko ang lahat. By this time, I'm not even shocked if may milagro nanamang magaganap pagkatapos nito. After everything that already happened? Nakakatawa na para bang nasa isang hit teleserye ako - ang daming ganap, ang daming twists. 

Who would have known na the one who saved me was also the "first love" of my so-called bestfriend who stole my fiance away from me?

I pursed my lips and asked,  "Kaya ba linapitan mo ako? Dahil gusto mo paselosin si Nina?" Tumawa ako ng onti at nagsalita ulit, "Sabagay,  it's like killing two birds in one stone."

Kumunot ang noo niya at mageexplain sana pero hindi ko na siya pinasimula.  Pagod na kasi ako sa mga explanations na hindi naman dapat.  Hindi naman kasi dapat may ganito. I owe my life to this man. He and his friends save me from my misery. 

It shouldn't be even like this.

Dapat wala kami issue ngayon. 

But life works in mysterious ways.  Minsan yung mga ayaw mo pa mangyari,  yun pa yung nangyayari and there's nothing you could do about it but control what your actions will be.

And I have decided mine long before he even finished his story. Para saakin it's good to know what happened kasi kahit anong denial ko,  I still want to know the truth. The funny this is? Now that I heard it parang mas okay nalang pala na sana hindi ko nalang alam.

Kasi tuwing makikita ko na siya,  palagi ko na maiisip na minahal niya si Nina.  And as much as she betrayed me,  may pinagsamahan kami and it goes against my principles to hurt others intentionally. 

Yun ang nasa isip ko.  Pero sa kabaling banda,  naiisip ko rin na people take me for granted kasi ang bait ko.  I always think about others first before myself.  I always consider their thoughts, opinions and feelings.  Ang nangyayari tuloy, palagi ako ang bigo.  Palagi ako ang malungkot. 

While I'm thinking,  Nickko is quietly looking at me - giving me the space I needed for my thoughts which I appreciated.

Kaya naman I have decided on what to do.  Consequences be damned. This time I will choose me. 

I will fight back. 

"Nic,  alam ko hindi ka naman nagsinungaling in a sense pero hindi mo parin sinabi sakin.  The first time you saw her,  you should've told me.  Alam mo ang nangyare saakin.  Yung ginawa niya saakin.  Because of what they did,  I can't trust someone as easily as before.  And at the same time,  my trust with you is also broken."

"Angel.. "

"Let me finish first.  I'm sorry for what she did to you. I really am.  It made me think na kaya mo ako sinuyo ay dahil gusto mo siya gantihan for what she did to you."

"I didn't.. "

"I know you didn't mean to.  At alam ko rin kahit hindi ako marunong magbasa ng utak,  alam ko na deep inside gusto mo siya gantihan.  To make her feel what you felt before. Or maybe make her regret leaving you."

Tinignan ko ng maigi si Nickko.  And true to what I said,  his eyes agree to everything. 

"I forgive you.  I know how it feels. Mine is tenfold since fresh pa siya.  And seeing them together,  knowing na engaged na sila,  and ang bilis ko mapalitan hurts me. Kahit na akala ko wala na,  masakit parin palang mapalitan ng ganun ganun lang."

Hindi ko napansin na tumulo na pala ang luha ko until nafeel ko nalang yung patak sa kamay ko. 

"O tignan mo, naiiyak nanaman ako."

"I'm sorry.. "

"No,  I don't want your sorry Nickko. I want your answer."

"Huh?"

"Gusto ko yung isasagot mo kung sinabi ko sayo ngayon na gusto ko silang gantihan.  Gusto ko makita nila kung ano yung pinakawalan nila."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin Angel?" Kumunot ang noo niya, seemingly lost sa conversation namin. 

"What I'm trying to say is, I want you to date me."